The Merchant of Venice Act 4, Scene 2 Translation

The Merchant of Venice Translation Act 4, Scene 2

Also check out our detailed summary & analysis of this scene

Check out our summary & analysis of this scene

Original

Translation

Enter PORTIA and NERISSA, both disguised

PORTIA and NERISSA enter, both disguised as men.

PORTIA

Inquire the Jew’s house out. Give him this deed, And let him sign it. We’ll away tonight, And be a day before our husbands home. This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo.

PORTIA

Go to the Jew's house. Give him this contract and have him sign it. We'll leave tonight and be home a day before our husbands return. Lorenzo will be happy to see this contract.

Enter GRATIANO

GRATIANO enters.

GRATIANO

[giving PORTIA BASSANIO’s ring] Fair sir, you are well o'erta'en. My Lord Bassanio upon more advice Hath sent you here this ring, and doth entreat Your company at dinner.

GRATIANO

[He gives BASSANIO's ring to PORTIA] Fair sir, I'm glad I caught up with you. After thinking it over, my Lord Bassanio has sent this ring to you and also invites you to dinner.

PORTIA

That cannot be. His ring I do accept most thankfully. And so I pray you tell him. Furthermore, I pray you show my youth old Shylock’s house.

PORTIA

I cannot make it to dinner, but I accept the ring gratefully. Please relate my thanks to Bassanio. Also, can you show my young man here to old Shylock's house?

GRATIANO

That will I do.

GRATIANO

I will show him.

NERISSA

[to PORTIA] Sir, I would speak with you. [aside to PORTIA] I’ll see if I can get my husband’s ring,Which I did make him swear to keep for ever.

NERISSA

[To PORTIA] Sir, may I have a word?

[Speaking so only PORTIA can hear] I'm going to see if I can get my husband's ring, which I made him swear never to give to anyone.

PORTIA

[aside to NERISSA] Thou mayst, I warrant. We shall have old swearing That they did give the rings away to men. But we’ll outface them, and outswear them too.— Away, make haste. Thou know’st where I will tarry.

PORTIA

[Speaking so only NERISSA can hear] I'll bet you can get it. They'll swear they gave the rings to men, but we'll outsmart them. Go, hurry. You know where I'll be waiting for you.

Exit PORTIA

PORTIA exits.

NERISSA

[to GRATIANO] Come, good sir. Will you show me to this house?

NERISSA

[To GRATIANO] Come on, good sir. Will you show me the way to the house?

Exeunt

NERISSA and GRATIANO exit.